Dipolog/Dapitan to Davao by land through Zamboanga & Cotabato Province--do or don't?

[TreeFrog 53]

Hi everyone.  I'll be traveling from Dipolog or Dapitan to Davao City and I wonder if it's going to be reasonably safe to pass through Lanao del Norte, Zamboanga del Norte, and Cotabato provinces, on a motorbike, all the way to Davao.  Or are these roads going to be something worth avoiding based on present conditions?  I'd like to avoid having to go through Ozamis, Iligan, CDO, and then on down to Davao, as this will be the longer journey and I've done it before. 

 

 

 

[throttleplate 1,904]

Hi everyone.  I'll be traveling from Dipolog or Dapitan to Davao City and I wonder if it's going to be reasonably safe to pass through Lanao del Norte, Zamboanga del Norte, and Cotabato provinces, on a motorbike, all the way to Davao.  Or are these roads going to be something worth avoiding based on present conditions?  I'd like to avoid having to go through Ozamis, Iligan, CDO, and then on down to Davao, as this will be the longer journey and I've done it before.  safe-or-not.PNG

that way is from what i have been told when living in dipolog back in 2009-10 is best to be avoided as lots of activity that way. I drove bike to sandugen and back but was told not safe farther on.

[BossHog 42,063]

not safe.

[Bill H 6,577]

Short answer, hell no, don't do it.  Fly.

[Davaoeno 38,448]

I have driven from Cebu via Dipolog to Davao 3 times.   Google map says the quickest way is thru Injun territory ie Pagadian.  However my wife refused to let me go that way any of the 3 times..  So off to Ozamis and CDO we went .   Many people in Davao have told me to avoid the  route through Pagadian.  Some of them are probably just reactionaries, but I dont think they can all be wrong.  Better safe than sorry I guess.  

[Tullioz 3,148]

I have traveled the Davao/Cotabato/Pagadian portion of this route several times going between Zamboanga City and Davao City without any problems. I have made this trip as recently as last month and spent a weekend in Kapatagan to attend a fiesta along the way. Is it dangerous? I think traveling on any road or highway in the Philippines can be dangerous. Lol... 

 

As far as having to worry about being kidnapped or becoming a victim of insurgents in the region, I wouldn't be. Kidnappings and attacks against westerners take planning, coordination, and approval from leadership before they can be carried out. A foreigner passing through on a motorcycle is not going to allow anyone time to plan an attack or abduction. As far as getting caught in the crossfire of any rival clans or government forces, once again it is very unlikely. Most of this takes place away from the main highways, and when it does occur near a major route or roadway the government will close the road several kilometers in advance until the danger has passed. 

 

The roads between Pagadian and Davao via Cotabato are not as good as they are along the Iligan/CDO route. There are lots of areas under construction which can hold you up, and the areas that are not under construction can be rough in a few places, so that is something else you may want to think about. 

 

Another thing to consider. 

 

 

If this guy can ride around that region on his scooter taking the same route you are considering, and at the same time taking time to make Youtube videos along the way; then I think it is pretty safe to say you will be able to pass through without any problems. 

Edited February 12, 2016 by Tullioz

[Davaoeno 38,448]

 

 

I think it is pretty safe to say you will be able to pass through without any problems

 

 

Even if you are correct 99% of the time a person should still consider if they are willing to risk being there the other  1% of the time.

 

You are commenting on a question that apparently is being asked by just an average guy.  But before that guy listens to what you say I think it only fair that that guy be advised that you also consider it OK to travel on a fairly regular basis to some of the most dangerous places in the Philippines.   

 

Just because you havent been shot or kidnapped so far doesnt mean that it isnt going to happen.

 

I think that you are a danger junkie and I have no problem with that. However as I said, I think that before you give people "safety" advice you should divulge to them your attitudes on travel to dangerous places.  Just to be fair.

[Tullioz 3,148]

 

Just because you havent been shot or kidnapped so far doesnt mean that it isnt going to happen.

 

 

I am aware that something bad could happen to me as often as I go to some of the high risk areas, and suspect it will eventually happen, but if Kyle Jennerman who started "Becoming Filipino" with his ADHD and obnoxious behavior can travel through the same area that the OP will be traveling without anything bad happening, then anyone can. He has many video's on his channel from that part of Mindanao that can be viewed to show that he goes their regularly and visits some pretty out of the way places that most here would consider too dangerous. I like the guy, but even I wouldn't go to some of those places bringing as much attention to myself as he does. Lol...

[questsea73 315]

Slow down for the couple of road construction messes you will likely get into.....slow down for the small places to go thru.  Give the roadside loungers a chance to crank up their cell phones to their compadres 20 km down the route so as to prepare a welcome for you.

 

Like in artillery firing call outs  for forward observor:  "On the way....Wait."    Impact: "on target...fire for effect".

 

Ken

[streak03 3,760]

Ever heard the term "target of opportunity"?

Edited February 12, 2016 by streak03

[perrya 152]

those are the red zones according to the US State department. Korandal, Lake Sebu, Gen San and Davao are very safe. I was advised by a local that even Iligan is not safe unless you are with a local.

[Benny Z 19]

Not a good idea. Catobato is not place you will feel welcomed, if your Western looking and White.

[rainymike 4,376]

Let's put it this way. On any given day, you can drive through Afghanistan and nothing will happen to you. On the wrong day, - it's a shit storm.

 

It's a mistake to believe that if someone else did it safely that it will be safe (or unsafe) for you. Wrong variables for analysis in my opinion. On any risky journey, you evaluate the risks in real time (not last week or a year ago or what did or didn't happen to Joe Blow and gather all the relevant intelligence you can. This forum and the State Department are good places to start, but I wouldn't place all my eggs in those baskets for information.

 

But then again, I'm an older guy and don't take too many unnecessary risks these days. LOL ... and it's how I survived to become an older guy.

 

 

 

[liquido 1,677]

I guess there is no possibility of ever getting a flat tire or mechanical breakdown? Ripe picking for a kidnapping and sold to them nice fellers in Tawi Tawi...Nah

[davehud 528]

Let's put it this way. On any given day, you can drive through Afghanistan and nothing will happen to you. On the wrong day, - it's a shit storm.

 

It's a mistake to believe that if someone else did it safely that it will be safe (or unsafe) for you. Wrong variables for analysis in my opinion. On any risky journey, you evaluate the risks in real time (not last week or a year ago or what did or didn't happen to Joe Blow and gather all the relevant intelligence you can. This forum and the State Department are good places to start, but I wouldn't place all my eggs in those baskets for information.

 

But then again, I'm an older guy and don't take too many unnecessary risks these days. LOL ... and it's how I survived to become an older guy.

 

 

Exactly! Why put yourself at risk?